Umdatul Awliyah Hazrat Sayyid Muhammad Nizaamudeen Shah Bhikaari

(radi Allaho anhu)

 

HIS POSITION IN THE SILSILA: Umdatul Awliyah, Sartaaj Zumratul Asfiya, Rahbar-e-Deen-e-Aazam, Hazrat Sayyiduna Sheikh Muhammad Nizaamudeen Bhikaari (radi Allaho anhu) is the twenty seventh Imam and Sheikh of the Silsila Aaliyah Qaaderiyah Barkaatiyah Razviyah Nooriyah. He is one of the most famous Masha’ikh of the Ulama-e-Hind.

 

BIRTH: He was born in a place called Kaakori in Lucknow India, in the year 890 Hijri (1485) [Tazkira Ulama-e-Hind]

 

NAME: His name is Muhammad Nizaamudeen. He is known by the mureeds, and in the silsila as Bhikaari. His titles are Shareef and Daanishmand.

 

HIS FATHER: His father’s name was Saifud’deen, who was a very great Aalim and Faadhil of his time. He was also a great Imam of  Qira’at-e-Saba. [Kashful Mutawaari pg18]

 

GENEALOGY: Hazrat Sheikh Qaari Nizaamudeen Shah Bhikaari son of Qaari Ameer Saifud’deen son of Qaari Habeebullah Nizaamudeen son of Qaari Ameer Naseerudeen Daleelullah son of Qaari Muhammad Siddique Baabu Muhammad Khaafi son of Qaari Ubaidullah son of Qaari Abdus Samad son of Qaari Ameer Shamsudeen Khurd son of Abdul Majeed (Gatekeeper of Rauza-e-Rasool (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) ) son of Haaji Harmain Sultan Hussain son of Qaari Ameer Ibrahim (Khalifa of Sayyid Abdur Razaaq), son of Qaari Sultan Abdul Latif son of Qaari Abdullah Khaafi son of Muhammad Shamsudeen Sabri son of Qaari Majeedudeen Khaafi son of Qaari Ameer Sulaiman son of Maulana Wajeehudeen Ahmad son of Qaari Muhammad son of Ali son of Muhammad bin Hanifia son of Ameeril Mo’mineen Hazrat Ali-e-Murtuza (ridwaanullahi ta aala alaihim ajmaeen)

 

His family was originally from a place called Sahraam close to Baghdad Shareef, but during the era of Qaari Muhammad Siddique, the King of Sahraam was not too pleased with him, so Hazrat Qaari Siddique was not pleased with this, and decided to move to the East. [Kashful Mutawaari]

 

His family first went to Awad, and then after some time, they settled in Kaakori, which is in Lucknow.  Here, their arrival marked a new chapter in the lives of many. They spread their rays of knowledge and wisdom amongst the people and showered the people of Kaakori with their Qaaderi blessings, instilling brightness into their dark hearts. People travelled from far and wide to learn the knowledge of Quran and Hadith from them. The entire India was filled with those who had attained knowledge and wisdom from Hazrat Bhikaari’s (radi Allaho anhu) forefathers.

 

EDUCATION: He attained his education at the feet of his blessed father Hazrat Qaari Saifud’deen(radi Allaho anhu) . He attained the knowledge of Tafseer, Tajweed and Logistics under the tutorship of his father.

 

HIS EXCELLENCE: He was of the Qaaderi Spiritual Order and of Hanafi Mazhab. He was a Haafizul Quran and a Qaari of the seven methods of reciting the Quran. He was a distinguished Aalim and a great Fadhil. He made deedar (saw in a dream) of the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) on various occasions, and he attained great blessings from the Exalted court of the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam). He also made Ziyaarat of Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam Jilani (radi Allaho anhu). He personally states, “I often made Ziyaarat of Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu), but I never saw him alone. I always saw him with Hazrat Sheikh Shahabudeen Umar Suharwardi (radi Allaho anhu), and during conversations, I also saw that Hazrat Suharwardi (radi Allaho anhu) followed the manner of Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam Jilani (radi Allaho anhu), and I never saw Hazrat Shahabudeen Suharwardi (radi Allaho anhu) speaking, in these dreams, and I was worried about this. I thus asked my father about this, and he said, ‘There is nothing to be worried about. The Ahle Kashf refer to Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam as Zul Jinaahain (One with two shoulders [deputies]) The deputy on his right is Hazrat Sheikh Shahabudeen Suharwardi (radi Allaho anhu) and the deputy on his left is Sheikh-e-Akbar Muhiy’yudeen Ibn Arabi (radi Allaho anhu). In this time, you are more engrossed in obedience of the Shariah and understanding the laws of Shariah. It is for this reason that you are seeing Hazrat Shahabudeen Suharwardi (radi Allaho anhu) with Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu). Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) says, ‘I have blessed Sheikh Akbar Muhiy’yudeen Ibn Arabi (radi Allaho anhu) with the knowledge of Spiritualism.’”

 

Hazrat Sheikh Bhikari (radi Allaho anhu) made Ziyaarat of the Awliyah Allah on various occasions.  He says, “Once during the month of Ramadaan, I was thinking that I had not made ziyaarat of Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) for a very long time. That night, I prayed my Taraweeh Salaah and went to rest. I fell asleep and dreamt Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam Jilani (radi Allaho anhu) with two other persons. One of them was Hazrat Shahabudeen Suharwardi (radi Allaho anhu). The other person was in a highly spiritual state, and I did not recognize him. I then asked Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) about him, and he then showed a sign to the Pious man asking him to meet me. He said, ‘This is Nizaamudeen, the one whom you were wishing to meet, and it is he who sides with your compositions.’ The Buzroog walked towards me in his spiritual condition and shook my hands and then embraced me with great emotion and enthusiasm. He then said, ‘If these people do not side my compositions, then who will? What do the people know about his value? He is the grandson of Qaari Ibraheem Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu).’ After this Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) said, ‘This is Sheikh Muhiy’yudeen Ibn Arabi (radi Allaho anhu).’ Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) then sat down and Hazrat Sheikh Shahabudeen Suharwardi (radi Allaho anhu) sat on his right and Hazrat Sheikh Muhiy’yudeen Ibn Arabi (radi Allaho anhu) sat on his left. They then made me sit in front of them, and Sheikh-e-Akbar (radi Allaho anhu) said, ‘Your grandfather wrote an excellent book in answer to those who object, and you too did not write less than what he did’ and I answered to what he had said.”

 

Hazrat Makhdoom Nizaamudeen Shah Bhikari (radi Allaho anhu) says, “I informed my beloved father of this dream, and he said, ‘Alhumdulillah, You have attained great blessings by making contact with Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu). Continue in this manner, and you shall reach a level where you understand the full excellence of Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam Jilani (radi Allaho anhu).’”

 

Hazrat Sayyid Ibraheem Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu) (descendant of Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam radi Allahu anhu) says, “You (Sheikh Nizaamudeen) are from India, but you are the Pride of the people of Madinah. There is none like you (in this time).” Hazrat Shah Abdul Qaadir Badayouni (radi Allaho anhu) says, Sheikh Bhikaari Kaakori (radi Allaho anhu) is such an Aalim of the Shariah and Imam of Taqwa, that he is the second Imam Azam Abu Hanifa (radi Allaho anhu). Year in and year out, he thought those in search of knowledge and gave guidance to the servants of Allah. He was a Haafiz of the Quran and was blessed with attaining his education from Hazrat Sayyid Ibraheem (radi Allaho anhu).”

 

Hazrat Qaari Muhammad Shareef says, “When I returned to my hometown, I met Hazrat Khwaja Amkangi (radi Allaho anhu) and I told him, that I met with a pious man on my journey, who was and embodiment of the excellent qualities of Wilaayat. His respect was like that of Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi and Hazrat Imam Azam Abu Hanifa (radi Allaho anhu). He had deep knowledge of Tajweed and the Holy Quran, and he was an example of the Pious Predecessors. “ Hazrat Khwaja Baaqi Billah Delhwi alaihir rahma heard about this incident from his Peero Murshid, Hazrat Khwaja Amkangi (radi Allaho anhu) and narrated it to his khalifa Hazrat Sayyiduna Sheikh Mujaddid Alf Thaani Sheikh Ahmad Farooqi Sirhindi (radi Allaho anhu) during a meeting with Mulla Abdul Kareem, who was a descendant of Hazrat Makhdoom Nizaamudeen Bhikaari (radi Allaho anhu). [Mashaahir Kaakori pg 45] 

 

BLESSINGS ATTAINED FROM THE COURT OF THE BELOVED RASOOL (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam): Hazrat Makdhoom Sayyid Muhammad Nizaamudeeen Bhikaari (radi Allaho anhu) says, “I completed hifz of the Quran at the age of ten and commenced studying the books of the Aalim course. At the age of fourteen, I qualified as an Aalim. I then attained the knowledge of Hadith from Hazrat Maulana Ziaudeen Muhadith-e-Madinah. Once during our lesson, Hazrat Muhadith-e-Madni (radi Allaho anhu) gave me permission to recite a certain Durood. When I read this Durood, I saw the beloved Rasool (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) in my dream.”

 

Hazrat Nizaamudeen (radi Allaho anhu) also says, “Once, when I was very young, I said that I was amazed at those who went to Haramain Sharifain and then returned. I felt that if I had that opportunity, then I would go there and live there for the rest of my life. That year, I dreamt of the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) and he said, ‘you must remove that thought from your mind, of coming to Harimain Sharifain and never returning. You must remain in India, so that the people may attain benefit through you. You will marry there and will be blessed with pious children.’ The Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) then placed his blessed hand on my head and my entire brain became fragrant so much so, that I entered a state of spiritual ecstasy. The Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) then move his blessed hand on my head and said, “To lose control (enter spiritual state) is simple, but to keep the control is difficult. The servant does not truly serve the creator when he is lost in service. Be grateful to Allah, who has given you such a power capacity. Your completion will only be through the assistance of the seven Rijaalul Kaamileen, and then only will the reality of His favor become clear to you.’ The Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) then placed his blessed hand on my chest and said, “The explanation of this will depend on the next time.’ He then moved his blessed hand over my chest from the chest to the right, and then from the right to the left and read the kalimah. He then raised his blessed hands and read the following verse, ‘Subhaana Rab’bika Rab’bil Iz’zati Am’maa Yasifoon Wa salaamun alal mursaleena wal humdu lil laahi Rab’bil Aalameen’ In the morning, I explained my dream to Hazrat Ziaudeen Muhadith-e-Madni (radi Allaho anhu), so he took me with him to my father Hazrat Qaari Ameer Saifud’deen (radi Allaho anhu) and explained my dream to him. My father immediately read to rakaats salaah for shukraana (gratitude) and then said to Muhadith Madni, ‘I heard many glad tidings concerning him from various Awliyah Allah, and one of them is this incident, which occurred through your attention towards him.’”

 

THE GLAD TIDINGS OF THE PROPHET (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam): The Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) informed him that he would attain completion of his knowledge through seven pious servants of Allah. Five of these personalities blessed him physically and two blessed him spiritually. The first was his father Hazrat Ameer Saifud’deen, the second was  Hazrat Maulana Ziaudeen Muhadith Madni from whom he attained knowledge of Hadith and was blessed with the gift of the Durood which allowed him to see the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam), the third personality was Hazrat Haaji Abdul Latif Hiraati , who gave him glad tidings of his future and taught him control of the nafs, the fourth personality was Hazrat Ameer Ibraheem bin Mu’eenudeen Erji (radi Allaho anhu) who is the descendant of the son of Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu). It is in his service, that Hazrat Nizaamudeen lived and attained spiritual elevation. The fifth personality is Hazrat Haafiz Sayyid Muhammad Ibraheem ibn Ahmad ibn Hassan Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu). The two Saints from whom he attained spiritual blessings were Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam Jilani (radi Allaho anhu) and Hazrat Sheikh Shahabudeen Suharwardi (radi Allaho anhu).

 

 

SHEIKH-E-TARIQAT: He was the mureed and Khalifa of Hazrat Sayyid Ibraheem Erji (radi Allaho anhu). The attention of his Peer towards him was very powerful. He says, “I became mureed of Hazrat Ibraheem Erji (radi Allaho anhu) in Feroza Abaad, and Hazrat blessed me in such abundance, that I cannot even explain it. I lived for a few months with Hazrat. Daily, I attained some new spiritual enlightenment.  He would sometimes even ask about studies. He also gave attention to me when explaining the Hadith and always put me forward as the Imam for Namaaz. He used to say, ‘your pronunciation is very clear, and your voice is also very fine. Your coming here had made me very happy.’”

 

Once, his Sheikh asked him the meaning of the Hadith “In’namal A’maloo bin Niy’yaat.” [The reward of one’s action is upon the intention].

 

Hazrat Nizaamudeen (radi Allaho anhu) gave such a beautiful explanation of the Hadith, which his Sheikh went into a complete state of spiritual ecstasy. He again asked Hazrat Nizaamudeen to repeat what he said. Sayyidi Nizaamudeen (radi Allaho anhu) repeated his explanation. Hazrat Ibraheem Erji (radi Allaho anhu) then removed hit blessed hat and placed it on the head of Sheikh Nizaamudeen and said, “A man should have a tongue like yours for the explanation of Hadith.” After this incident, Sheikh Nizaamudeen (radi Allaho anhu) returned to Kaakori and explained the entire incident to his father.  His father became very pleased and said, “May Almighty Allah bless you with even more acceptance in the Court of the Awliyah Allah, for this is the desire of this faqeer, for which I make dua day and night.”

 

He was still at the home of his father, when he heard that Hazrat Ibraheem Erji (radi Allaho anhu) had come to a place called Charkhaari and was to return to Delhi from there. His father asked him to go to Charkhaari, so he did as he was commanded. He travelled for ten days, and then presented himself in the Darbaar of his Sheikh. Again, his Sheikh showered him with love, respect and great blessings.

 

He says, “I was not worthy of those blessings. One day, I found a quiet moment and said, O my Beloved Sheikh! For all your blessings upon me, I have no words to thank you and I am not even worthy of thanking you in the proper manner. If I had insight of the instructions of Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu), then I would make an undertaking to acquire, so that I may not be incapable in Mujahida (striving in the way of Allah).”

 

The Murshid said, “It is very good that you started this conversation. This was in my heart for some time now. I am now granting you permission to read all that which I have attained from Hazrat Baha-ul Haq Wa Deen (radi Allaho anhu), except for those things which I feel you should get the Ijaazat from Hazrat Maulana Haafiz Sayyid Ibraheem Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu).”

 

The next day, Hazrat Ibraheem Erji (radi Allaho anhu) blessed him with Ijaazat (Khilaafat), presented him with a seal (stamp) and then permitted him to return home.

 

He attained great blessings from Hazrat Sayyid Ibraheem Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu) and visited Jhansi and Kalpi Shareef with him. He lived with him initially for six months studying various books and reaching great spiritual elevation. In Kalpi Shareef, he made I’tekaaf as per the command of Hazrat Sayyid Ibraheem Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu). For as long as Hazrat Sayyid Ibraheem Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu) remained in Kalpi Shareef, he frequented Kalpi on various occasions. He even performed Taraweeh Salaah in Kalpi on the command of Hazrat Sayyid Saahib (radi Allaho anhu).

 

GEMS OF WISDOM: * If any person in my descendants takes alcohol or becomes a shia, then he will be broken away from my family tree and he will live with disgrace in the world and will face the torment of the hereafter. * Any one from my children who has singing etc. in his wedding will live in sadness and depression. *My children should become Haafizul Quran up to the Day of Qiyaamah and they will always be Ulama and Fuqara.  * Those people are very much deprived, who cannot please the hearts of people through their good ethics, since to keep the hearts happy shows the pleasure of Allah.

 

HIS CHILDREN: Almighty Allah blessed him with four daughters and six sons. The first daughter was married into a Sayyid family; the second daughter was married to Sayyid Jalaaludeen the son of Sheikh Saadi Chishti Siddiqi Kaakori; the third daughter was married in a place called Hargaam and the fourth daughter passed away very young.

 

His sons were, Hazrat Sheikh Aalam; Hazrat Sheikh Saman; Hazrat Haafiz Sheikh Shahabudeen Sheikh Sundhan; Hazrat Sheikh Fitn; Hazrat Sheikh Abdullah and Hazrat Sheikh Khwaja (ridwaanullahi ta aala alaihim ajmaeen)

 

HIS KHULAFA: The names of his distinguished Khulafa are: Hazrat Sheikh Abudullah; Hazrat Qaazi Ziaudeen urf Sheikh Jia; Hazrat Mullah Abdur Rasheed Multaani; Hazrat Meer Sharfud’deen Shikaarpuri; Hazrat Sheikh Muhammad Khoorjuwi; Hazrat Sheikh Badi’ud’deen; Hazrat Maulana Naseerudeen Sambhali; Hazrat Muhibbullah Khairabaadi;  Hazrat Mirza Shamsudeen Khan and Hazrat Mullah Abdul Kareem (ridwaanullahi ta aala alaihim ajmaeen)

 

WISAAL: He passed away on the 8^th of Zulqaddah 981 Hijri (1572) at the age of 91 years.

 

MAZAAR SHAREEF: His Mazaar Shareef is in Kaakori near the Mazaar of his beloved father.